Performances: An Opinionated Guide

* Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan (The Grill, 1279 Coast Village Road, Montecito, 969-5969) All the yuppies and all the acoustic blues you can stand.

* Leo Downey Band (The Ketch, 514 State St., Santa Barbara, 564-3231) All original rock by a guy who doesn't have a shirt with sleeves in his entire closet. The women, apparently, love that sort of stuff.

FRIDAY

* Ambrosia, Hollander (Ventura Theatre, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura, 648-1888) The headliners are so lightweight they have to wear steel shoes, lest gravity take over. Hollander is a local trio of corporate-style rockers.

* Lion I's (Charlie's, 362 California St., Ventura, 648-6688) Local reggae rockers who know about keeping the dance floor packed. Even those sea gulls on the pier (the ones too stupid to find the dump) will be dancing.